Plum tree, &#34;Wuhl&#34;

ABSTRACT

A plum tree which is generally similar to the Black Beaut Plum Tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,617) which it most nearly resembles, bearing purple-skinned, clingstone fruit having redder flesh and a thicker stone than that of the Black Beaut.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum treedenominated by the varietal name "WUHL" and broadly characterized by itsgeneral similarity to the Black Beaut Plum Tree, which it most nearlyresembles, but from which it is distinguished by its extremely largeleaves and its regular and productive bearing of purple-skinned,uniformly large fruit having flesh of a redder overall color than thatof the Black Beaut, and by its stone which is thicker and has notendency to crack.

The Black Beaut Plum Tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,617) is well known as aproductive bearer of medium to large fruit having deep purple skin andyellow to red-colored semi-freestone flesh, ripening early in theseason. While the Black Beaut has gained a measure of success, it hasbeen recognized that it is deficient in a number of respects,particularly in that its skin is somewhat bitter and its pit isrelatively thin and exhibits a tendency to crack. Therefore, it has beenrecognized that it would be desirable to provide a plum tree bearingfruit which is uniformly large and symmetrically shaped and has a darkskin having no bitter flavor and whose stone has no tendency to crack.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The instant variety of plum tree is generally characterized by bearinglarge fruit having purple skin and firm, deep red flesh. In comparisonwith the Black Beaut variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,617), the fruitborne by the new variety is more uniformly large, has a deeper redflesh, and a much harder stone having no tendency to crack. Further theskin of the fruit of the new variety has little or no bitterness incomparison to that of the Black Beaut.

The fruit borne by the tree of the new variety is large, having adiameter in the range of from 60 to 65 mm and has firm, crisp, juicyflesh which clings to the stone. The skin of the fruit is Port Wine(Plate 56-L-12) in color and exhibits no bitterness in its flavor. Theflesh is Cardinal in color (Plate 5-L-5) and ripens evenly, having verygood eating quality. The fruit matures approximately June 15.

The new variety is further particularly characterized by its extremelylarge leaves and the hardness of its pit, which has little or notendency to crack. Moreover, the new variety is characterized by itslimited self-pollination and the requirement of the intervention on thepart of a breeder to effect a sufficient degree of pollination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of four mature plums ofthe subject variety with one of the plums divided to show the flesh andstone characteristics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of plum tree, the following has been observed under theecological conditions prevailing in the designated orchard in FresnoCounty, Calif. All of the color code plate designations are by referenceto the Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color, Second Edition, 1950 exceptwhere common descriptive color terminology is employed.

TREE

Size: Medium.

Figure: Upright.

Productivity: Productive.

Regularity of bearing: Regular.

Trunk:

Diameter in relation to length.--Medium.

Surface characteristics.--Medium-rough with fine vertical cracks in thebark.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Surface character.--Medium rough with vertical cracks.

Color.--Bark -- Hudson Seal (Plate 8-A-9); Cracks -- Maya (Plate12-D-10).

Lenticels.--Number -- Numerous. Size -- Small.

Leaves:

Size.--Large; Length -- 135 mm; Width -- 65 mm.

Shape.--Oblong-symmetrical; acute at apex and base.

Color.--Upper surface -- Shirvan (Plate 24-H-10); Lower surface -- CedarGreen (Plate 23-E-6).

Marginal form.--Finely crenate.

Petiole.--Length -- 15 to 18 mm; thickness -- 2 mm.

Stem glands.--Number -- 1 to 3; Arrangement -- Irregular; Size -- Small;Type -- Reniform; Color -- Green.

Stipules.--None.

Flower buds:

Size.--Small; Shape -- Short, Plump; Surface -- Glabrous.

Flowers:

Dates of bloom.--With Santa Rosa (unpatented).

Size.--Small.

Color.--White.

Number of pistils.--One.

Number of stamens.--Numerous.

Pollination: Less self-pollination than Black Beaut (U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,617).

FRUIT

Maturity: June 15, about three days before Santa Rosa.

Size.--Uniformly large; Diameter -- 60 to 65 mm; Diameter transverse insuture plane -- 57 to 62 mm.; Diameter transverse at right angles tosuture plane -- 48 to 52 mm.

Form:

Uniformity.--Uniform.

Symmetry.--Symmetrical.

Suture.--Distinct and shallow.

Ventral surface.--Slightly raised.

Stem cavity.--Acute; 15 mm×25 mm×14 mm deep.

Base.--Retuse.

Apex.--Retuse.

Pistil point.--Indented.

Stem.--Length -- 22 mm; Caliper -- 2.5 mm.

Skin:

Thickness.--Thin.

Texture.--Tender.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Color.--Port Wine (Plate 56-L-12).

Pubescence.--None.

Flesh:

Color.--Cardinal (Plate 5-L-5).

Color of pit well.--Mascara (Plate 7-L-8).

Amygdalin.--Scant.

Juice.--Juicy.

Flavor.--Subacid.

Aroma.--Wanting.

Texture.--Firm and crisp.

Fibers.--Moderate, fine and tender.

Ripening.--Even.

Eating quality.--Very good.

Stone: Cling.

Fibers.--Short.

Size.--Length -- 22 mm; breadth -- 17 mm; Thickness -- 10 mm.

Form.--Lopsided; winged on ventral edge near base; beaked at apex.

Base.--Straight.

Sides.--Ventral edge -- Shallow groove near center; Dorsal edge --Shallow groove throughout.

Ridges.--Slightly raised near base.

Color.--Topaz (Plate 12-I-8).

Splitting tendency.--None.

Use: Fresh market

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping Quality: Good.

Although the new variety of plum tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the growing conditions prevailing in FresnoCounty, in the central portion of the San Joaquin Valley, Calif., it isto be understood that variations of the usual magnitude incharacteristics incident to differences in environment, growingconditions, fertilization, irrigation, pruning and pest control are tobe expected.

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety of plum tree, whatwe claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A newand distinct variety of plum tree substantially as shown and described,characterized by its general similarity to the Black Beaut Plum Tree(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,617), but differing therefrom in its bearing ofuniformly large fruit having redder flesh than that of the Black Beautwhich clings over the entire surface of its stone, which is thicker andhas less of a tendency to crack than that of the Black Beaut.